Pumpkin possibilities
Because it will be Halloween eve, I was thinking of making next Tuesday's Top Ten my favorite restaurant dishes using pumpkin, like this Chilean sea bass (pictured) pan-seared and served with a brown butter, caper and lemon sauce over pumpkin risotto and wilted spinach, prepared by the chef of Trapeze in Maple Lawn.
But I'm getting cold feet. I'm not sure I can come up with ten.
On the plus side, it's not just another category of restaurants. This week I did Italian restaurants, and for Tuesday two weeks from now I'm putting together a list of the ten best restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner. So...
(Elizabeth Malby/Sun Photographer)
...I like the idea of doing a Top Ten dish or service issue or decor or some category other than whole restaurants. But I'm not totally set on it. Your assignment is, if you choose to accept it, to come up with:
a) Enough favorite pumpkin dishes (yes, the Helmand's appetizer would head this list) so I can get a Top Ten out of it;
b) Suggest another Top Ten;
c) Come up with some more good restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving so I don't have to do any work every place has a chance to be represented on the list.
Comments
I have a passion for the Starbuck's pumpkin cream cheese muffins...I've become so addicted I did an online search to find a close recipe so I could make them at home and save some money. I did pretty well! The only part I can't get quite right is the way they prepare the pumpkin seeds on top. They are so yummy!!
Posted by: Christine | October 23, 2007 11:36 AM
I used to bartend at a place called Firebird's Rocky Mountain Grill based out of Charlotte, NC, and they had the most unbelievable pumpkin cheesecake with graham cracker crust and a light caramel drizzle. Just a hint of nutmeg cinnamon and nutmeg. It was seasonal, so I'd pick up an entire cake every year. As a recent transplant, I can't vouch for any pumpkin cheesecake in the area, but I'm sure there are some good ones out there.
Posted by: mduff | October 23, 2007 12:08 PM
Since pumpkin is so specific it may be easier to do Fall dishes and treats - delicious butternut squash soup (or some other seasonal soup), apple farm for cider, great or innovative venison dish, maple candies, apple crisp, root veggie dish, seasonal salad, etc. And, just make a top ten list out of that instead of restaurants in a specific category although some would be referenced as the "where to find" destination. A lot of places have released a seasonal menu so the list would be timely.
Posted by: SGI | October 23, 2007 12:32 PM
Don't forget about the Helmand's terrific pumkin appetizer. Maiwand Kabob has something similiar as well.
Posted by: Jason | October 23, 2007 3:16 PM
Corks has a great pumpkin salad.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 23, 2007 3:25 PM
How about ravioli filled with pumpkin (or butternut squash) and served with fresh sage? I've had variations on this dish several different places--all delicious. I make a fabulous pumpkin cheesecake, but I guess that doesn't count toward your total for restaurants.
Posted by: Darlene | October 23, 2007 4:18 PM
This just in from Timothy Dean Bistro: Hello All , here is the menu for saturday's cooking class: It's Harvest Time!!!!!!!!
1st course
Fresh Pumpkin Soup with Black Truffle Quenelle
2nd course
Organic Chicken Leg Stuffed with Chantrelle Mushrooms and Fiji apples
3rd course
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pumpkin ice cream
Posted by: Darlene | October 23, 2007 4:29 PM
Friends have a punkin-chunkin party where everyone brings a dish made of pumpkin or apples. It's amazing what can be made of pumpkin.
Posted by: fairfax | October 23, 2007 5:27 PM
The Narrows restaurant on Kent Island does a pumpkin brownie for Thanksgiving that is fabulous!
Posted by: Linda | October 24, 2007 11:36 AM